Why am I read the results of my blood test when I can read it myself?

Very well said. Happy Thanksgiving 😊

I agree with you. I have had blood tests every three months and the results have always been uploaded onto Patient Access for the past 5 years. I like to monitor my platelets so that I can make my own assessment as I am trying to treat my ET naturally. I have agreed with my Haematologist that if they go over 800 I will consider having a biopsy and go on Hydroxy. She is my fourth haematologist and on my second phone call with her she did not load my results having rung for them I was told my haematologist wanted to discuss with me first which then made me worry for two weeks. The platelets were 811, I am still not worried and told her as I was going off to Spain for 3 months so I was not going to start on Hydroxy. I have delayed decision until March. I feel great and as have mentioned before not good on meds. I am CALR Type 2 so not as high a risk for clots, but apparently my age is a concern as now 62!

Happy Thanksgiving, to you too, have a great day!

My doc seems to understand that I read my lab results on the portal, and says something like, "So, your platelets are pretty much staying in the 400s with an occasional spike to the 500s, so I want to keep your HU at the same levels. Are you having any new symptoms?" It confirms we're on the same page and indicates she's aware that ET is NOT a symptomless disease.

So I wonder if reading your results to you is irritating because your doc isn't using the opportunity to segue to treatment goals and symptom management. That would annoy me, too.

My doctor and nurse are such slow readers that I get inpatient waiting for them to say something. To my knowledge they do not look at anything accept the platelet count that should be quick to read and that does annoy me. Wish you the best. Don

The computer connection at my PCP's office is really slow sometimes. Doc calls up my info and it takes awhile to load. I usually write my three main questions on a card and say, "While we're waiting, can I ask about xyz?" so that the 15 minutes allotted for my visit isn't wasted. Most docs are working for health care systems on salary, and they're told how many patients they have to see and how long they can spend. I'm 70 and not acutely ill, and it's real clear that the oncologist is short-sheeting my time because she just spent twice as much time with a teenager with acute leukemia.

I get that that's not the scenario you're describing, but I think the days when we can actually go in and have a chat with a doctor are pretty much over.

It's even worse for patients who have trouble articulating their problems. My mom had mental health issues, and it was really sad to see a doctor trying to deal with this in a 15 minute visit.

Most doctors have more patients they know how to handle, which is great for their business model. They can either face someone in their office for whatever reason, or deal with the patient (who needn't travel and whose costs financially and environmentally are therefore exceedingly low...and wonderful). But, the cynic in me, and the psychologist in me, knows that most people, especially /many/most men, HATE....and I do mean HATE...talking over the phone....even to loved ones. Doctors know that a phone debrief/consultation is likely to last 3-6 minutes, whereas an in-clinic appointment will typically run nearly twice that long. Looking at the numbers, a physician can book, and bill, almost twice as many phone interviews as in-office visits during the typical working day. Can you say 'kkaaaaaaahhhCHIIIINNNGG!!'

Yeah, I know this has little to do with our OP's peeve, but that can surely be put to bed with some polite words explaining the vexation.

Hello Ginger. I hope all is well with you! You explained the situation very well. For myself personally, I would be happy to have my Doctor(s) read results to me. You don't see that much in the realm of the Medical field & I find it wonderful bedside manners. ~

@jumper123
I am a worrier. There, I said it. My husband would tell you that, but I’m quite reluctant to admit it. I find that I worry much less about lab reports when I get the sticks about a week before my appointment with my hematologist/oncologist. So I go in and get the lab work done and then a week later I show up to find out what’s what. That way I am sitting in the doctor’s office when he reads the report and we can go over it together. I don’t look at the patient portal results ahead of time.
I think it’s all what makes you comfortable and for me it’s convenient because I live in the same town as my cancer treatment center. If I had to travel very far for my care, I would have to opt for a Plan B, but I know people that get their labs locally and then their doctor is in some other city so I know that is also possible.
I think I’d have a talk with my doctor and tell them that you are annoyed by the process and come up with an alternative. Life is frustrating enough without annoyances that can be fixed.
Wishing you peace this holiday season.

My husband is the worrier, and he had a heart attack 3 years ago. I never tell him when I'm getting a blood test. I look at the results and then tell him, say, my platelets look good this quarter. At some point they may not look so hot, but will cross that bridge when we come to it. He waits until just a couple days before cardiology appts to get his blood draws. He gets worked up, but only for a few days.